» The last finishers were Hiromi Sugimoto and Hiromichi Sugimoto of Japan. They finished in 14:19:02.

At 5 a.m., fireworks lit up the dark sky as 24,643 runners - an increase of about 1,000 from last year - took off from the starting line at the sound of the gunshot, some waving or flashing "shaka" signs to spectators standing along the sidewalks.

And by the end of the day, 98.4 percent of those who started the 26.2-mile marathon had crossed the finish line - up from a 98 percent finishing rate in 2004.

The 33rd annual Honolulu Marathon attracted runners - young and old - worldwide, from countries such as Canada, Germany, Sweden and Italy.

A majority of the participants were from Japan, comprising 17,345, or 61 percent, of those who entered the race.

While some signed up to compete for first place, others just wanted to reach the finish line.

Sixty-nine-year-old Billy Hughes of Palolo Valley sat on the edge of a median along Ala Moana Boulevard massaging his lower legs, from his ankles up to his calves, before the race started.

It was Hughes' second year in a row to participate in the marathon. Last year, he said, it took him 10 hours and 39 minutes to complete the race.

"This year, I'm hoping to do a little bit better," Hughes said. "I'm not trying to break any records. I just want to finish the race."

ASSOCIATED PRESS / LUCY PEMONI
Participants in the Honolulu Marathon, above, made their way along Waikiki Beach before sunrise yesterday.

The marathon started at Ala Moana Beach, progressed to Hawaii Kai and finished at Kapiolani Park.

For Seattle resident Hoa Pham, who battled ovarian cancer earlier this year, the race was a pivotal journey.

Pham, who is no stranger to marathons, participating in eight events held in various places such as San Diego, Toronto and Seattle, said this was her first time to enter the Honolulu Marathon.

It was also the first event she signed up for since she was diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer.

Pham said she was diagnosed with cancer in July. Soon after, she underwent surgery followed by treatment.

The avid runner, who decided to participate in the marathon against her doctor's advice, said running helps her get her mind off her illness.

Training for the run, though, has been difficult due to fatigue, Pham said. "Running is one thing I'm good at," said Pham, who finished the race at 4:25:43, placing 175th out of 2,643 female participants in her 25-29 age group.

Pham was accompanied by her boyfriend, Dave Farquhar, 29, who participated in his first marathon yesterday. Both said they plan to treat themselves to massages and head to the beach before returning to Washington.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
A runner grabbed a cup of refreshment along Ala Moana Boulevard during the marathon.

While some participants carried a flag to represent their home countries or wore tank tops with the names of the company they work for, some opted to dress up in quirky costumes.

One female participant dressed up in a pink bunny suit, another wore a Minnie Mouse costume, while a third dressed up as a frog.

Countless volunteers passed out paper cups filled with water to participants who flocked around folding tables on King Street near Iolani Palace as they ran toward Hawaii Kai.

As the sun rose over Diamond Head, volunteers and onlookers continued to cheer on participants as they passed the finishing line at Kapiolani Park.

Before the race started, three women from Salt Lake City stretched as they sat on the pavement on Ala Moana Boulevard to prepare for their first run in the Honolulu Marathon.

Running in Hawaii is much more pleasant than running in 15-degree cold in more than a foot of snow, said 48-year-old Mary Ann Dewaal.

Dewaal, a 20-year-runner, along with Holly Steffen and Chelise Montague, said they decided to combine the marathon with rest and relaxation in the islands. The three will stay in Hawaii for a week that will include a trip to the Big Island after they complete the marathon.